To Uzzi or not?

Hi all,

I am looking for some feedback from Uzzi VP owners. I currently have an 07 VPX, as well as an M9. I have used the Uzzi as my do-it-all bike (XC, little FR, anything rough) and now looking to update to a newer frame. I am considering the Tracer 2, Nomad and Chilcotin. All nice bikes but I am partial to the Uzzi. The only thing keeping me from the Uzzi again is I am looking for a better climber. Not that my VPX is that bad, but it is a bit of a tank.

Should I stick with the Uzzi or go with something else? Any input would be great.

Ooh that's a tough one. If you plan on sticking with Intense and want to stay with aluminum I would say you can't go wrong with the T2 or the Uzzi. Probably save a couple of lbs with the T2 and the geo is a little steeper for climbing. My Uzzi climbs really well, but you can feel the heft climbing so it may not give that much of a difference from your current VPX. If you are considering a carbon frame at all I would think seriously about the Carbine. I went from a Tracer VPP, which I absolutely loved, to the Carbine and the Carbine just rips up and down.

I do want to stick with Intense if I can as they have been good to me for a long time. My only concern with the Carbine is I'm a bit of a clyde and tend to plow, not the most finess rider out there. Not worried about breaking a frame but not sure it will be as "plush" as an Uzzi or Tracer?

I had a Tracer VP and changed for an Uzzi. On paper the Geometry seems very similar, but in practise (even with the same fork) it's quite different. The Uzzi feels a bit shorter and like more of a couch. The Tracer was not as plush as an Uzzi, and I would imagine the Carbine is even less so.

If you want something that you grind up long smooth roads, I would imagine the T2 (which I have not tried) could be better. However I'm clearing a lot of climbs on the Uzzi that I never managed on any bike before it (including Tracer), these are shorter technical steep climbs. The Uzzi has great traction, so while it's not the most efficient climber it can most certainly get you up.

I use this bike on a lot of trails where it's completely overkill, but I can keep up with most people as well as I can on any other bike. When the trail points down it really comes to life, and the faster I go the more it's in it's element. I just have one bike, and was really worried that I'm making a mistake going for the Uzzi instead of something lighter, but have never regretted it (ok, I did get a cyclo cross bike for riding to work). I even ended up moving to a longer fork and higher stack height headset despite having a 160mm in the beginning (the BB is quite low for rocky trails with a 160 fork and 0-stack headset).

Anyway, it really is a matter of preference. The Uzzi can be built up in many ways, and any of them will probably make it quite a lot better at climbing then the VPX. It's still probably a similar kind of bike...

I am looking for some feedback from Uzzi VP owners. I currently have an 07 VPX, as well as an M9. I have used the Uzzi as my do-it-all bike (XC, little FR, anything rough) and now looking to update to a newer frame. I am considering the Tracer 2, Nomad and Chilcotin. All nice bikes but I am partial to the Uzzi. The only thing keeping me from the Uzzi again is I am looking for a better climber. Not that my VPX is that bad, but it is a bit of a tank.

Should I stick with the Uzzi or go with something else? Any input would be great.

Hay Jim, all the bikes you listed are pretty rad and I'm sure you would like any of them if they were built up to your riding style and trail type. The new uzzi is a world better than your VXP(its still a good bike) it will do most things better dh, xc, jump the only thing you might have to get used to is the lower BB. The Tracer 2 is by far one of the funnest bikes I have ever owned. It climbs really good, there are a few climbs, really long and very steep that I have only cleaned on the tracer 2 and seen my friends on 29er hard tails spin out on roots and rocks. If you got the legs any of these bikes can climb any thing, The Tracer 2 reminds me of my VP Free on the HD.The Nomad was the same good at every thing but not as plush on the dh and drops but was a better jumper and felt like a snappier climber. I have not ridden the Chilcotin, my friend has one and loves it. He also had a Tracer 2 and Mojo HD, he wishes he never sold his Tracer. I just got a Carbine 275, It is a very rad bike. It is so fast, stiff, and light. It blasts up climbs with much less effort, I haven't gone up any really steep tec climbs. I'm not sure bigger(275) wheels are right for me, but I have to say so far there is not much not to like about them maybe a little weaker and fewer tires to pick from. They roll a lot faster than 26 wheels and do most things as good or better. The Carbine doesn't feel any lest plush that the Tracer 2, that might be because of the bigger wheels. I haven't ridden the the Carbine with 26 wheels. The guys at Intense talked me out of getting an other 26er and I'm glad to try 27.5. time will tell if it is better for me.

I have an Uzzi and it is a great all around ride for the reason's many have pointed out. With that said, if I did not do lift assist riding, and did not want to go carbon, I would be investing in the Tracer 275 for all around rough trail/light freeride riding. Its worth looking into.

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like the Trace 2 is something I will give a lot of consideration to. I am looking for a shop that has a demo so I can at least ride around a parking lot with one. Iíll keep you posted on my decision as soon as I make one. Again thanks for the input, it is really helpful.

Smithrider, you are not alone about carbon bikes, and I felt the same way until I rode my friends carbon Nomad next to my aluminum Nomad. Big performance difference between the two. He rode and in my mind abused that bike for three seasons and sold it to an other local rider that is still riding it. I hope that the Carbine holds up as good. I work at a shop that sells Intense, they told me that there is less that 1% failures on their Carbine and Spider Comps, most were the typical catastrophic impacts that would have dented, bent, or ripped a aluminum tube. But I understand you not wanting a carbon bike. I'm not sure I would want my M9 or any of my DH bikes to be made of PLASTIC I hope we are getting a Tracer 275 in the shop soon, so I can take it for a spin. It should be a great bike. Jim if you are in New England or close you can ride my Tracer to see if a large fits.

Vice Grips - I am with you on the carbon thing. As a matter of fact, my Spider Comp is showing up at the bike shop this week.

The original poster stated he wanted to stay away from Carbon, so I crafted my comment as "if" I didn't want carbon, I would check out the Tracer 275. Now if it were me, I would look at the Carbine 275. I went the Spider Comp route as I am looking for my main ride for 30 mile epics in Colorado which is my main riding now a days. I still have my Uzzi for Moab and Winter Park and my 29er hardtail for the smooth days in the saddle.

had both a vpx and vp. vp is hard to beat, and a lot better all-around than the vpx. a friend has a t2 and swears by it. really can't go wrong with either--just depends on what you're going to use it for. if you spend more time in the gnar/steeps/jumps, I'd lean uzzi. if you're not hitting big/super rough stuff all the time, I'd lean towards the t2. i actually end up using my vp for basic xc most of the time, and run it 1x9 to boot, but when i do head for the hills, it takes whatever i give it. I cannot understate how much I love the adjustability of both the travel and esp. THOSE G3 DROPOUTS. that's what sold me on the bike.

had both a vpx and vp. vp is hard to beat, and a lot better all-around than the vpx. a friend has a t2 and swears by it. really can't go wrong with either--just depends on what you're going to use it for. if you spend more time in the gnar/steeps/jumps, I'd lean uzzi. if you're not hitting big/super rough stuff all the time, I'd lean towards the t2. i actually end up using my vp for basic xc most of the time, and run it 1x9 to boot, but when i do head for the hills, it takes whatever i give it. I cannot understate how much I love the adjustability of both the travel and esp. THOSE G3 DROPOUTS. that's what sold me on the bike.

Adjustability is what is drawing me towards the Uzzi as well. Looks like I will be able to throw a leg over one this weekend and hopefully a Canfield Brothers The One. That looks like an intriguing bike as well, but hard to give up on Intense.

Adjustability is what is drawing me towards the Uzzi as well. Looks like I will be able to throw a leg over one this weekend and hopefully a Canfield Brothers The One. That looks like an intriguing bike as well, but hard to give up on Intense.

I checked out the Canfield when I was shopping for my Uzzi. The Uzzi isn't the most rigid frame around (this was in 2009, the new ones are more solid) but the Canfield felt like a noodle in comparison.

I checked out the Canfield when I was shopping for my Uzzi. The Uzzi isn't the most rigid frame around (this was in 2009, the new ones are more solid) but the Canfield felt like a noodle in comparison.

I have had my uzzi for 2 years now, I love it but when I am climbing you will feel it, I can climb but no as efficient as I would like. So I went I got a niner rip 9 but I sold it (no too happy with 29er), and I got a carbine, I am really happy how this bike goes up and down!!! If I would like to get another bike must likely is going to be an intense.

Uzzi all the way

I've had my uzzi for about 1.5 yrs (2011 frame) and I can honestly tell you, it's the best bike I've owned. This coming from a guy that's gone through numerous Ellsworth DH/FR frames, 6.6, VPX, Foes, etc. I have it built fairly light ~ 30 lbs and it does climb well. About a month ago, I was looking for a change and was shopping around for a Nomad carbon but then rode my uzzi again and decided this frame was hard to beat. My other bike is a M6 and it pretty much sits in the garage all year.

I have the 5.5 FRO and it climbs like a beast! I also have the Uzzi VP. It's no climber, but a perfect, fun bike that is super plush. I love it! I only ride the FRO for races and the Uzzi for everything else. I owned the SLX which I bought new in 2003 and loved it!

I have the 5.5 FRO and it climbs like a beast! I also have the Uzzi VP. It's no climber, but a perfect, fun bike that is super plush. I love it! I only ride the FRO for races and the Uzzi for everything else. I owned the SLX which I bought new in 2003 and loved it!

I really liked my VPX. It is not the best climber, so that is why I am looking hard at the Canfield One. I have a DH bike so maybe it makes more sense to go something much lighter (T2 or Carbine) but I dont think I will like the steeper geo, harsher ride (compared to the couch like plushness of the Uzzi) etc... I really like the planted feel of the Uzzi. Seems like a good bike, but I really like the Uzzi.

Well I hope that you replace it with something that is as equally fun to ride. I'll I can say is that I am looking forward to having as much riding it as you did. And as for it not being the best climber, it's ok cause neither am I.

Well I hope that you replace it with something that is as equally fun to ride. I'll I can say is that I am looking forward to having as much riding it as you did. And as for it not being the best climber, it's ok cause neither am I.

Well the frame is a stealth black and figured that all the parts I had were black, so all just came together perfectly. The whip I take it is the brake line. Yes it's way to long and needs to be shortened.

Well the frame is a stealth black and figured that all the parts I had were black, so all just came together perfectly. The whip I take it is the brake line. Yes it's way to long and needs to be shortened.

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Dude your bike looks great, it will ride even better! A "whip" is referring to a ride(a car, horse,bike) most of my brake lines are too long on my bikes too. just ride it like you stole it!

hi,
i am planning to build up an aggressive all-do bike and i am considering the uzzi vp (also Knolly Chicotin, Nicolai Helius AM)...i find a great deal on a 2010 uzzi VP frame, almost brand new (i can save a lot of money)...im wondering if it could be the right frame for my purpose..the set up would be: full XT, CrossmaxSX, Marza 55 micro swtich 120-160 TA...the things that make me have some dubts are the stories i read here and there regarding the flexbility and not great stiffness of the rear triangle....it is true or a metropolitan legend????...thansk a lot to everyone...

The original Uzzi VP was not very stiff, but I do think that the effect of the flex has sometimes been overstated. That said, I'm pretty light so it might feel worse for a heavier rider, I actually like it being a bit compliant. Intense stiffened it up later, so I guess that could be thought of as them saying it was too flexy.

Re: To Uzzi or not?

Will do. I got an email confirmation that my order was received and I could see them as early as Thursday. Can't wait to see how it changes the feel of the bike. Going to take down one of my favorite trails first than change the drop outs, then hit same trail the next morning.

To Uzzi or not?

The G3 dropouts have 3 positions, the slack dropouts are not sold by Intense, but they offer an even slacker option then the most slack G3 option (which I would imagine would be too slack for a lot of people).

Re: To Uzzi or not?

That's the correct link for the drop outs. The drop outs work on either the uzzi VPX or the socom. The owner is really cool and keeps you informed on the status of your order. I ordered the 135mm drop outs and he had to make the drive side and notified me of the progress.

What's the difference between the slacker dropouts and the 2013 g3 dropouts on the latest 2012/13 Uzzi? Has anyone tried 27.5" wheels on the 2012/13 Uzzi, I'm thinking with the adjustable rear dropouts there would be clearance to run a 27.5 tire. Does anyone know the diameter of a Shwalbe Hans Damph 27.5 X 2.35 tire when installed on a rim with 30psi.?